Dr.Wangari Maathai was born in Kenya in April 1940 and passed away in September 2011. She was an educator, voice for women’s rights, activist and environmentalist who greatly influenced her home country’s community and environment. Dr. Maathai was the first African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. She was awarded this honor in 2004 for her contributions to “sustainable development, democracy and peace.” In 1977 Dr. Maathai started the Green Belt Movement to counteract deforestation that was threatening subsistence agriculture. The campaign encouraged women to plant trees in their communities, helping to reduce poverty, protect the environment, and support women. This movement is attributed to the planting of over 30 million trees! Dr. Wangari Maathai shattered the “expected” roles of women in society and paved the way for many generations to come. She was only one person. To a world of 7 billion people, she may have seemed small. But she used her voice to fight for environmental protection and women’s rights, and accomplished so much for her community and environment. Dr.Maathai often spoke about the story of the Hummingbird. She emphasized that while smaller than other animals, if it did what it could, it would make change. She used this to explain that although one person may be small compared to the whole, they can truly make a difference. | |